Police have renewed a request for the public’s help in identifying vandals who have been damaging windows and vehicles, apparently in drive-by shootings with a pellet gun over the past two weeks in downtown Hilo.

Police said the rash of vandalism was first reported on January 8, 2003, when vandals shot and damaged vehicles parked in or near the downtown area. Police issued its first public request for information the next day.

Since then, the vandals have been shooting at the windows of business establishments as well as at motor vehicles.

Since January 8, at least 10 vehicles have been damaged and at least six building windows have been damaged in the downtown Hilo area. Damage has occurred to vehicles and buildings on Waianuenue Avenue, Kinoole Street, Ainako Avenue, Ponahawai Street, Mamo Street and Rainbow Drive.

Anyone with information about the shooting incidents or the identity of the vandals is asked to call the Hilo patrol at 961-2311 or the police non-emergency number at 935-3311.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. The numbers are answered 24 hours a day. Callers will be given a coded number and their identity will remain anonymous. Callers may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if their call leads to an arrest, indictment or the recovery of property. Crime Stoppers neither subscribes to “Caller ID,” nor does it record phone calls.